Radio remote control and automatic tuning



Aug. 27, 1935. H.'B. FUCHS 2,012,603

RADIO REMOTE CONTROL AND AUTOIATIC TUNING Filed July 25, 1932 mv'smon scope and are applicable Passed Aug. 21,1935

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs V RADIO CONTROL AND AUI'OIA'IIC TUNING 19 Claims.

My invention relates in general, to electrical remote control systems, and more particularly to a. new method, system, and apparatus for remotely controlling radio tuning and similar devices.

Electrically actuated'radio remote control devices as made at present employ expensive motors and auxiliary devices which cost entirely too much to permit their use in the average priced radio sets.

One object of my'invention is to provide a radio remote control device that is simple and cheap to construct and easy to operate, so that its application to the average priced radio sets will encourage the public to discard their old sets and buy those" embodying nLv invention, thereby stimulating the manufacture and sale of radio sets. I

Another object of my invention is to provide means for remotely tuning a radio set to desired points, supplying current to the set, indicating when the tuning device is not in its original position and indicating locally the position of the remote tuning device, 'the operation of 'all of' these being controlled by a single manual. Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby, during the act of tuning, the tuning device of .the radio set will be automatically stopped at predetermined points.

The above and other objects of my invention will be explained more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and it is understood that equivalents may be-substituted for the elements revealed. a i I This invention accordingly consists in the method, system, combinations of elements, arrang'ement of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein. The many novel featur'esembraced in this invention are far-reaching in their in many embodiments other than that described, and I therefore do not wish to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims., 1

Referring to the drawing, i indicates a disc secured to. a shaft 2 connected to the movable part of a radio tuning device. 8 indicates a gear. secured to shaft I and adapted to be actuated by rack l which slides in bearing and is tensioned by. spring 6. l indicates a recess in disc i adapted to receive a friction surfaced stud I secured to armature 9 which is pivoted at II and tensioned by spring Ii. i2 indicates an I past a stationary plate 24 having a pointer 25 magnet for attracting armature I over the influence of spring II. II indicates multiple thermal' elements spaced from each other by the separators I4 and secured together and to supports I! and It by means of the bolts l1 and it. It indicates a slotted bar, the slots thereof being adapted to ve the endsof the thermal elementsll so as to keep them properly spaced. One ofthe thermal elements "ll-is fastened to the bar II, the slots the being of such size as 'topermit the other thermal elements to slide easily "therein as when they expand. II indicates an extension secured to rack 4 and adapted to be actuated by bar is when the thermal elements it expand. 2| indicates electrical heating coils surrounding the thernial elements II. The thermal elements it when expanded by the heat from the heating coils 2i and-contracted by cooling are capable of exerting force which imparted to bar ",catnes it to move rack 4 through bearing 5 to rotate gear 3. Any number of thermal elements I! may be used, depending on the force desired.

22 indicatesadiscsimilartodisc i. Thisdisc 22 is calibrated as at 23 and is adapted to move and an opening 26 thiough whichfthe calibrations of dial 2! may be noted and nota made thereon as for instance the letters denoting a radio station. The calibration marks I! are 30 shown in part only for purpose of clearness. Disc flissecuredtoashafti'l; Ilindicatesa gear secured-to shaft 21 and adapted to be actuatedbyrack I9 whichslidesinbearing I and tensionedby spring 3|. 3! indicates a recess is in disc 22 adapted to receive a friction surfaced stud a secured to armature-M which is pivoted at and tensioned by spring I. 31 indicates an electromagnet for attracting armature 3 over the influence of spring It. 30 indicates a 0 thermal element similar to the thermal element II. This thermal element ll is secured to a support 30, is wound with a heating coil ll similar to heating coils 2i, and is adapted to actuate extension ll, securedto rack 20, so that rack is a will operate gear 2.. when heating coil 0 causes the thermal element 38 to expand. v

42 and, 48 indicate lines connected to a source of current.

44 indicates an electromagnet adapted to attract armature l5 pivded at 4. and tensioned by spring 41. ll and ll indicate contact pla se- 'cured to armature but insulated the rom.

lachofthesecontactplate'sleandle normally contacts with and forms an electrically conductive path between two contacts as shown, but when electromagnet 44 is energized and attracts armature 45, the contact plates 48 and 49 are disconnected from their respective contacts and the circuits to which these contacts are connected are thereby opened.

50 indicates a switch member adapted to contact with contacts 5| and 52 when in one position and with contact 53 when in another position. For ease in operation I have used in practice a switch wherein the switch member 50 is offlat spring construction and between the contacts when at rest so that at a slight movement to one side it will contact with contacts 5| and 52 and at a slight movement to the other side it will contact with contact 53.

54 and 55 indicate lines connected in circuit with the radio set and operating current, so that when electromagnet I2 is energizedit attracts armature 9 which contacts with contact 56 thereby closing the circuit supplying current to the radio set.

The mode of operation is as follows:

When switch member 50, which may be located on the arm of a chair or at any other convenient point, is actuated to contact with contacts 5| and 52, current from line 43 flows through contact 52, line 51, line 58, electromagnet 31, line 59, line 60, through contact plate 49 and its respective contacts, through line 6|, line 62, line 53, line 84, through electromagnet i2 to line 42. Electromagnets i2 and 31 are thus simultaneously energized and attract their respective armatures thereby releasing the discs I and 22, while armature 9 contacts with contact 56 thereby closing the circuit supplying current to the radio set.

At the same time switch member 59 is also 7 contacting with contact 5| and current from line 43 flows through contact 5|, line 65, line 55,

through heating coil 40, through line 67, line 68,

the radio stations, and when the desired station is heard, the disconnection of switch member 5||- from contacts 5| and 52 will instantly deenergize the electromagnetic and heating coil circuits, and armatures 9 and 34 being'released by the electromagnets will instantly brake their respective discs in the desired positions. I have mentioned beformdisc is connected to the tuning mechanism of the radio set which may be remotely positioned. Disc 22 which 'operates in synchronism with disc I, is placed near the person re motely operating the radio set and its purpose is to show that person the position of disc I which is at the set so that the set may be tuned by marks on the disc 22 and now that the desired station has been tuned in, a notation thereof maybe marked on disc 22 as shown in the opening 26 to thereafter enable a person to tune in the same station according'to the markings on disc 22 or the position thereof. It will be noted that at the time electromagnet 31' attracts armature 34, thesaid armature 34 contacts with contact I4, thereby causing current from line 43 to flow through line 15, through contact 14, through armature 34, through line 16, line 11, line 18, line '19, through visual indicator or lamp 80, through line 8|, line 82, line 83, line 13 to line 42. The visual indicator or lamp is thus energized and illuminates disc 22, while the displacement of disc 22 from its initial position limits the movement of stud 33 to the periphery of disc 22 thereby keeping armature 34 in contact with contactg|4 and so further indicating by the illumination of visual indicator or lamp that discs I and 2| are not'in their initial positions, that stud 8 not being in recess 1 is limited to the periphery of disc I thereby keeping armature 9 in contact with contact 56 and so supplying operating current to the radio set, and visual indicator or lamp 80 so indicates.

In other words, when switch member 50 is actuated to contact with contacts 5| and 52, discs I and 22 are released for rotation, the radio operating current is switched on, a lamp is switched on to illuminate dial or disc 22, the thermal elements I 3 and 38 rotate the discs thereby tuning in the radio stations consecutively until the desired station is heard and the disconnection of switch member 50 from contacts 5| and 52 brakes the discs in the desired positions and permits the desired station to continue, while the thermal elements, being dcenergized, slowly return to their initial positions. Notations may be made on dial or disc 22 to facilitate future tuning to the same station.

Should one desire to hear a station that was passed while tuning, the actuation of switch member 55 to contact with contact 53 will energize only the electromagnetic circuit, releasing the discs which will rotate backwards under tension of springs 5 and 3| until the rack extensions 20 and 4| are stopped by the cooling thermal elements which are slowly returning to their initial positions and the discs then rotate-slowly in accordance with the slow movement of the cooling thermal elements until the desired station is heard, and the disconnection of switch member 50 from contact 53- will cause armatures 9 and 34 to brake the discs in the desired positions so that the desired program may continue.

It will be thus seen that the actuation of switch member 50 to alternately. contact with contacts 5|, 52, and 53 will cause the discs I and 22 to move in opposite directions and the disconnection of switch member 50 from the contacts will brake the discs in'any desired position thereby making the tuning of the radio set an easy and pleasant operation. Furthermore, when the discs I' and 22 are in their initial positions, the recesses and 32 admit their respective studs thereby permitting armature 9 to disconnect from contact 56 and so open the circuit supplying current to the radio set and permitting armature 34 to disconnect from contact 14 and so open the circuit supplying current to visual indicator or lamp 80, and when-discs and 22 are not in their initial positions, the studs, 8*9Ind 33 are checked by the peripheries of their respective discs thereby compelling armature 9 to contact with contact 56 and so supplycurrent for operating the radio set and compelling armature 34 to contact with contact 14 and so energize visual indicatofor lamp 80 to indicate that the radio operating current is connected to the radio set and to-illuminate disc 22. In other words, when one desires to discontinue using the radio set, switch member 50 is actuated to contact with contact 53 until a predetermined mark on disc 22 indicates that both discs are in their initial positions, and the disconnection of switch member 50 from contact 53 will extinguish visual indica- 'aoraeos tor 88 thereby indicating that the radio operating current has been cutoil from the radio set. 88 is an indicator, which may be a visual indicator such for instance as a lamp which may be posi-.

tioned near the operator of the radio set, and its deenergimtion will positively indicate that the operating current has been cut oil from the radio set.

, 88 indicates a base having mounted thereon the supports l5 and I8, and having spaced openings o 86 adapted to be traversed by the blade 81 secured to shaft 2 at the time the disc I is actuated. 88

indicates contact pins which may be inserted in any of-the openings 88 so that blade 8T will contact with them when the disc I reaches predetermined points during its :rotation. Each of these contact pins 88 is connected by means of line 88 to a switch member 88. Switch member 88 is adapted to contact with contact ll. Only three contact pins 88 with their lines'and switch members are shown for purpose of clearness, and it will be understod that any number of them may be used. Each of contact pins 88 is so positioned in an opening 88 that blade 81 contacts with it at the point where disc I is in resonance with a desired radio station. when a certain radio station to which a certain contact pin 88 has been adjusted, is desired, the switch member connected to that contact pin is actuated to contact with itsrespective contact 9|, switch 80 is actuated to rotate dials I and 22, and when bla'de 81 contacts with the said contact pin, current from line l8 flows through line 95, through electro-magnet 44, through line 94, line 88, line 92, contact 8!, switch member 80, line 88, through contact pin 88, through blade 81, through bearing 5, through line 86 to line 42 thereby energizing electromagnet 44 to attract armature 45, opening the electromagnet and heating coils circuits and braking the discs, thus automatically stopping the tuning mechanism of the radio set at the desired station. In other words each contact pin 88 is adjusted to the resonance point of a different radio station, so that when its respective switch member 80 is caused to contact with its contact 8| and switch member 50 is then actuated, the contact of the rotating blade 81 with the said contact pin will automatically stop the tuning mechanism of the radio set at the desired point and permit the radio program to continue. Only one switch member 90 may be connected to its respective contact 9| at one time, and this must be disconnected Iro'm its contact 8i beiore switch member 58 can be actuated to either tune to another station or discontinue the operation of the radio set.

It will be understood that disc 22 and its associated parts are for the purpose of tuning by. dial or visible means and that they may be cut out at will.

What I claim is: a

1. In a remote control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, and a switch connected to a source 0! current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the leetrically actuated brake when a member of rsaid switch is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the said member '0! said switch is at another position.

2. In a remote ntrol device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element in one direction, means for moving said tuning element in an opposite direction, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, and a switch connected to a source of current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electrically actuated brake when a member of said switch is at one position and to energize only one oisaid devices when the said member of said switch is at another position.

3. In a remote control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, a switch connected to a source of current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electrically. actuated brake when a member of said switch is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the said member of said switch is at another position, and a movable contactelement influenced by the tuning element switching means is at another position, a relay connected to a source of current adapted to arrest the tuning element, lines from said relay connected to elements positioned with relation to resonance points of said tuning element, and means associated with said timing element adapted to energize said relay and stop said tuning element at contact with said elements which are connected to said relay.

5. In a remote control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electrically actuated brake when a member of said switching means is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when said member of said switching means is at another position, a relay connected to a source or current adapted to arrest the tuning element, lines from said relay connected to elements positioned with relation to the resonance points 0! said tuning element,means associated with said tuning element adapted to energize said relay and stop the movement of said tuning'element at contact with said elements which are connected to said relay, and a stationary contact member connected in circuit with the radio operating current adapted to be engaged for the purpose of closing said circuit when the tuning element is not in its initial position.

' 6. In a control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element and. an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, a disc, means operatively connected theretoadapted to actuate said disc and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest it at any point, switching means connected to. a source of current adapted to energize both actuating means when a member of said switching means is at one position, one of the said brakes adapted to be biased to engage with'a contact to complete an electric circuit when thetuning element is out of a predetermined position.

7 In a control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, a disc, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said disc and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest it at any point, switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize both actuating means when a member of said switching means is at one position, one of the said brakes adapted to engage a contact member to complete an electric circuit when the tuning element is out of a predetermined position, the other brake adapted to engage a contact member to energize an indicator when the disc is out of a predetermined position.

8. In a control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest thetuning element at any point, a disc, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said disc and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest it at any point, switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize both actuating means when a member of said switching means is at one position, the brake associated with the tuning element adapted to engage 'a contact member to energize an indicator, and the brake associated with the disc adapted to engage a contact member to' energize another indicator, both indicators adapted to be energized simul taneously to verify synchronism between the tuning element and the disc.

9. In a. control device, a tuning element, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, a disc, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said disc and an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest it at any point, and switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize both actuating means and both electrically actuated brakes when a member of said. switching means is at one position and toenergize only the electrically actuated brakes when said member of said switching means is at another position.

10. In a remote control device, a tuning element, a disc secured thereto, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element, a brake adapted to stop said tuning element at any point, an electroresponsive device adapted to actuate said brake, and switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electroresponsive device when a member of said switching means is at oneposi-tion and to energize only one of said devices when the member of said switching means is at another position.

11. In a remote control device, a tuning element, a disc secured thereto, means operatively connected thereto adapted to actuate said tuning element, a brake adapted to stop said tuning element at any point, an electroresponsive device adapted to actuate said brake, switching means connected to a source of current adaptedto energize the tuning element actuating means and the electroresponsive device when .a member of said switching means is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the member of said switching means is at another position, and contact members on a base adapted to engage with a contact member to stop said tuning elementat desired positions.

12. In a remote control device, a tuning element, a disc secured'thereto, means operatively connected to and adapted to actuate said tuning element, a brake adapted to stop said tuning element, an (electroresponsive device adapted to actuate said brake, switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize the ment, an electroresponsive device adapted to actuate said brake, the said tuning'element actuating means and said electroresponsive device being electrically connected and actuated by operating switching means, contact members on a base positioned with relation to resonance points of said tuning element, a contact member adapted to engage with the said contact members to stop said tuning element, and a member connected with the radio operating current adapted to be engaged by the brake for the purpose of controlling said radio operating current.

14. In a remote control device, a tuning element, an expanding and contracting element operatively connected to and adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, and switching means connected to a source of current adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electrically actuated brake when a member of said switching means is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the said member of said switching means is at another position.

15. In a remote control device, a tuning element, an expanding and contracting element operatively connected to and adapted to actuate said tuning element in one direction, means for moving said tuning element in an opposite direction, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, and switching means connected to a source of cur rent adapted to energize the tuning element actuating means and the electrically actuated brake when a member of said switching means is at one position and to energize only one of said de vices when the said member of said switching means is at another position.

16. In a remote control device, a tuning element, an expanding and contracting element operatively connected to and adapted .to actuate means is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the said member of said switching means is at another position, and a movable contact element influenced by the tuning element to engage with a stationary contact element to complete an electric circuit when the tuning element is out of its initial position.

17. In-a remote control device, a tuning element, an expanding and contracting element operatively connected to and adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electrically actuated brake adapted to arrest the tuning element at any point, switching means connected to a source 'of current adapted to energize the tuning ele ment actuating means and the electrically actuated brake when a member of said switching means isat one position and to energize only one of said devices when said member of said switching means is at anotherposition, a relay connected to a source of current adapted to arrest the tuning element, lines from said relay conconnected to elements positioned with relation to the resonance points of said tuningelement, and means associated with said tuning element adapted to energize said relay and stop the movement of said tuning element at contact with said elements which are connected to said relay. 18. In a remote control device, a tuning element, a gear operatively connected thereto, an

expanding and contracting element fixed at one end and having the other end connected to operate the gear, an electrical current conducting member adapted to heat said expanding and contracting element so that it will actuate said gear, a brake adapted to arrest said tuning element, an electroresponsive device adapted to actuate said brake, and switching means connected to a source 01' current adapted to energize said current conducting member and said electroresponsive device when a member of said switching means is at one position and to energize only one of said devices when the said member of said switching means is at another position.'

19. In a control device, a tuning element, an expanding and contracting element operativeb' connected to and adapted to actuate said tuning element, an electroresponsive device adapted to energize the expanding and contracting element, a brake adapted to stop the tuning element, an electroresponsive device adapted to actuate the brake, contact members on a base, an element adapted to engage with the said contact members to arrest the tuning element, and a member pose of controlling said radio operating current. adapted to be engaged by the brake for the purpose of controlling said radio operating current.

HARRY BRICER FUCHS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No, 2,012,603. August 27, 1955.

HARRY BRICKER FUCHS.

I It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line- 26, claim 19, strike out the words "pose of controlling said" and insert instead connected with the; same line and claim, after "current" strike out the period; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the 7 case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of March, A. D 1936.

Lesli Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,012,603.

HARRY BRICKER FUCHS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line-2.6, claim 19, strike out the words "pose of controlling said" and insert instead connected with the; same line and claim, after "current" strike out the period; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of March, A. D 1936.

Lee1i Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

August 27, 1935. 

